Railway construction



Jan; 22 1924.

' W. G. LUCAS RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION FiledJuly 30, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ['2 van for Jan. 22 1924;

w. G. LUCAS RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION Filed July 30. 1923 [12 vezzzozr UNi'rED STATE 5S PAT ENT oF FicE.

WILLIAM GRAHAM LUCAS, OF ORBISONIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed Jui so,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM GRAHAM LUCAS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Orbisonia, in the county of Huntingdon and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Railway Constructions, of which the following is a Specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My present invention has reference to railway construction. i

My primary object is to produce, in railway construction, rails of a peculiar design which are readily clamped and yieldably supported on ties, also of a particular and peculiar construction, and wherein the meeting ends of the rails are connected in a simple but strong and effective manner, to form rail joints over which rolling stock ma pass smoothly without battering.

Other objects of my invention are to combine concrete and metal in the form of a tie that can be tamped in the ballast of a roadbed, and to provide spring rail seats in such connection with the ties as will obviate rigidity and prevent displacement of the rails of the track.

Further objects of my invention are to produce in railway construction an effective arrangement whereby the spike and wooden tie may be eliminated, and to accomplish the same by a combination of comparatively few parts of economical construction; of a F strong nature, and secure manner, to meet the increasing needs for a better railway.

To the attainment of the foregoing, and other objects which will present themselves as the nature of the invention is better un-, derstood, reference is to be had to the drawings which accompanying and which form part of this application.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of rails sup ported on ties in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of one of the spring rods, with the casing removed look-- ing toward the ends of the rails.

FigureS is an end view of the same with the rails removed.

Figure 4c is a side elevation of a tie supporting rails illustrating the combined cas- 1923. Serial No. 654,725.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the spliced bars,

Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating the rail joint with the splice bar in position. 7

Figure 8 is a sectional view of a portion of the tie showing part ofthe casing ut away and illustrating a modified form of rail support. V

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the modified rail support. V

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a modified form of casing for the tie.

Figure 11 is a plan view of the same with the spring rod in place illustrating reinforcing plates and rail supports. c I

Figure 12 is a perspective view illustratingirails and ties in accordance withthis invention designed for use on toy railways.

. Figure 13 is a transverse sectional view through one of the rails and through the splicing element, Which connects the meeting ends of the rails. v f

Figure 14 is a 'perspectiveview illustrating a modified form of rail r I I Figure 15 is, a transverse sectional view through one of the modified rails and through the splicing element which connects the confronting ends of the rails.

[In the drawings the concrete bodies ofthe tires are outlinedby dotted lines and indicated by the numeral 1. Arranged centrally in each body 1, in the formation of the said body, there is a tube or casing 2, and arranged inside of the said casing 2 there is a spring rod 3. -The spring rod 3 is arranged within the said casing in the formation of the said casing. Each casing 2 is formed on its under face with a straight projection 4 to reinforce the body 1. The springrod 3, at suitable distance from its ends, is coiled or shaped to provide'rail supports 5, said supports having the upper ends thereof extending above the remaining portions of the spring rod 3 through openings or slots 66 in the casing 2. Each rail 7 is designed without base flanges and has two dependingwebs 88 The said lit are

webs are disposed at suitable distance apart and are designed to receive therebetween the rail supports 5, and means for securing the said rails to the said supports, such as the usual bolts 9, passed through openings in the webs 8 8 and through the openings formed by the said rail supports, and securing means such as the usual nut or cotter pin. On the upper face of the casing 2 and over the slots 66 there are metal reinforcing plates 10, being arranged thereon in the process of moulding the body 1.

The confronting ends of the rails? are connected by splice barsf The splice bars each comprises a plate bent or otherwise shaped to provide inner parallel sides 1111 and outer parallel sides 12.12 and rounded connecting elements 13+'18-13 for said sides. The splice bars are SliPPQ-il over the webs 8-8 of the confronting rail ends and securing elements, such as bolts 14-.

ends of the rails may be connected in an easy and expeditious manner providing staggered joints, strong, and secure, over which rolling stock nay pass obviating the shocks, jars, and battering of low joints, incident to the usual rail connection.

In Figures 8 and 9 there is illustrated a modification of this invention wherein the rail supports 15 are held within the convolutions of the spring rod 16 at suitable distance apart, thereby providing a strong rail support in connection with a lighter spring rod of less diameter. I

Another modification is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 wherein the covering or casing 17 is of squared formation providing flat surfaces. These casings each comprise a metallic sheet or plate shaped to provide parallel sides 18-18 and a straight connecting element 19 for the sides. A similarly shaped member with shorter sides 202U is designed to fit up between the parallel sides 1818 of the first member with "the shorter sides 2020 in contacting engagement with th top element 19 of sides 1818. At suitable distance from its ends the top surface of the casing 17 is provided with slots 21-21 for the rail supports.

In Figures 12 and 13 I have illustrated a further modification designed for use in connection with toy railway cars.

In these figures, the ties 22 are in the nature of spirally wound springs. The rails include flat bendable rods 23 which are re ceived between the parallel sides 24t-24 of metal members 25. These members provide the heads of the rails and the sides 2t-2aprovide the webs thereof. T he said webs are disposed between certain of the convolutions of the ties 22.

It should be stated that the spirals of the ties are closely associated and are disposed approximately at a right angular plane with respect to their longitudinal axis. By this arrangement the rails maybe readily gauged.

their meeting ends the webs of the rails are engaged by the sides or arms 26 of spring members 27. The spring members 27 hare their central portions in thenature of barrels 28 and the frictional engagementof the arms 26 witn the webs Q=l-2i of the confronting rail heads holds the said rails properly associated.

The rods 23 are of course bendable as are the combined heads and webs 24..- Q so that various curves in the track made up by the construction may be readily obtained.

A still further modification is illustrated in Figures 14 and 15 wherein the construction is similar to that described in Figures 12 and 13 except round bendable rods 29 are enclosed in sleeves 30 to provide the rails 31. The rails 31 have each a single web 82 provided by the sleeve 3i) being formed on under face with a straight projection. The webs 32 of the rails 31 are disposed be tween certain of the convolutions of the tie. The component parts of the rails are bendable and the track made up by this construction is easily and readily laid and various curves may be obtained; also various gauges may be obtained.

It is believed that the foregoing description when taken in connection with the drawings, will fully set forth the construction and advantages of my improvement to those skilled in the art to which such inventions relate and that further detailed description will not be required. It is thought necessary to state, however. that I do not wish to be restricted to the precise details of construction herein set forth, but hold myself entitled to make such changes therefrom as fall within the scope of what I claim.

Having described the invention 1 claim:

1. A railway construction including a tie having spaced convolutions therein and rails including heads and depending webs which latter receive therebetween the said convolutions in the tie and the heads of the said rails resting on the upper portions of said convolutions.

2. A railway construction comprising ties having spiral spring elements therein and projecting thereabove and rails'which inill) clude each a headand two webs the latter designed to receive therebetween said elements and the head designed to rest thereon. 3'. In a railway construction, a tie including a concrete body having a longitudinally arranged metal casing therein which latter has a spirally wound rod therein which has two of its convolutions, at suitable distance apart, extending above the top of the tie, and rails, each including a head and two webs, which latter arev designed to receive therebetween the said extendingconvolutions and the head thereof designed to rest on the top of said convolutions, and clamps to engage the webs and underlie the heads of the confronting rail ends and means for securing said clamps on said rails.

t. In a railway construction, a tie including a concrete body having a longitudinal casing therein and a spirally wound or twisted rod disposed in the said casing, said rod having two of its spiral twists extending above the remaining portions, and supporting rails at suitable distance from each other; said rails each comprising a head and two webs and the said webs being designed to be disposed astride the said spiral twists and the heads of the said rails designed to rest on the said spiral twists, and means in connection with the said webs for securing the said rails to the said spring twists, and clamping means for securing the rail ends together.

5. A. railway construction including ties having spaced spirals therein, and rails including heads and depending webs, which latter receive therebetween the said spirals of the ties. and the heads of the said rails resting on the upper portion of the said spirals.

6. A railway construction comprising ties each having spiral spring elements therein, and'projecting thereabove, and connected at their lower ends, and rails, each including a head and depending webs, the latter designed to receive therebetween the said spiral spring elements and the head designed to rest on said elements.

7 In a railway construction ties including concrete bodies having longitudinally arranged casings therein and spirally wound spring rods arranged in the said casings, the said spring rods having convolutions projecting above the tops of the; said ties through openings provided in the said casings, and rails each including a head and depending webs, which latter are designed to receive therebetween the said convolutions and the said head designed to rest on said convolutions.

8. In a railway construction, rails each including a head and depending projections or webs supported on the convolutions of spirally wound rods, the heads of the said rails resting on the upper portions of the said convolution 'and the said webs of the said rails disposed astride the said convolutions, and means for holding said rails on said convolutions, and clamps for engaging the webs of the confronting ends of said rails and means for securing said clamps in said rails.

9.'In a railway construction, rails, each including a head and depending projections or webs supported on the convolutions of spirally wound rods the heads of the said rails resting on the upper portions of the said convolutions and the said webs of the said rails disposed astride the said convolutions, and means for holding said rails on said convolutions, and clamps for engaging the webs of the confronting ends ofsaid rails and means for securing said clamps on said rails.

10. In a railway construction, rails supported by the spiral convolutions of spirally wound rods, or springs, the said rails including heads and depending projections, or

webs, the said webs disposed between the said convolutions and the said heads oi the said rails designed to rest on the said convolutions. I

11. In a railway construction, rails supported by the. spiral convolutions of spirally wound rods or, springs, the said rails including heads and depending projections, or webs, the said webs disposed between the said convolutions and the said heads of the said rails designed to rest on the said convolutions, and clamps for engaging the webs of the confronting ends of the said rails, and means for securi said clamps on said rails.

12. In a railway construction, ties, each including a concrete body having a longitudinally arranged casing therein, providing a longitudinal cavity in which there is arranged a spirally wound spring rod, the said spring rod including members having their upper portions projecting above the top of the tie through openings in the said casing, and rails, each including a head and depending webs, which latter are designed to receive therebetween the said members, and the said head being designed to rest on the top of said members, and means for securing said rails on said members.

13. In a railway construction, ties, each including a concrete body having a longitudinally arranged casing therein, providing a longitudinal cavity in which there is arranged a spirally wound spring rod, the said spring rod including members having their upper portions projecting above the top of the tie through openings in the said casing, and rails, each including a head and depending webs, which latter are designed to receive therebetween the said members, and the said head being designed to rest on the the top of said members, and means for securing said rails on said members, and plates on the upper face of the casing under the said members and over the said openings in the said casing, and means for securing the said plates thereon, and means for securing the confronting ends of the rails together.

14. In a railway construction, a tie comprising a spirally wound rod providing convolutions in the nature of a spirally wound spring, ails, comprising heads and webs, supported by the said convolutions with the said webs disposed below thetop portions of the said conrolutions and the heads of said rails disnosed above the top portions of the said convolutions, and clamps for engaging the rail ends, and means to hold said clamps in engagement with the said rail ends. 15. In a railway construction, rails supported by the convo ut ions of spirally wound rods, said rails incl udiiig heads and depending webs, which latter are disposed between the said convolutions and the said heads of the said rails being designed to rest on the tops of said convolutions and securing means 'for holding the said rails in place, and clamp ing means for securing the confronting rail ends together.

16. In a railway construction, rails, each including a head and depending projections or webs, supported by the convolutions of spirally wound rods, with the heads of the said rails resting on the tops of the said convolutions, and the webs of the said rails disposed at the sides of the said convolutions, and means for holding said rails on said convolutions, and clamps for securing the confronting ends ofthe said rails together.

17. In a railway construction, ties comtions, and securing means comprising bolts,

in connection with the said webs of the said rails beneath the said upper portions of the said convolutions, and rail ends clamped by splice bars and secured thereon by bolts and nuts.

18. In a railway construction, rails, ties, and splice bars, all peculiarly designedto fit together to provide a railway wherein there is a spirally wound spring rod housed within a cavity provided in a concrete and metal tie, the said tie having openings 011 its upper surface communicating with the said cavity, the rails resting with the heads thereof on the tops of the spiral coils which are designed to protrude throughthe-said openings, and the webs of said rails depending downward below the top portions of the said coils and being secured thereon by means in connection with the said webs, and wherein each splice bar both engages and underlies the webs of the confronting rail ends, and means for securing the said splice bar to the said rail ends.

7 In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM GRAHAM LUCAS. Witnesses:

ESPY S. MILLER, W. A. MoCLnARY. 

